Arvon Township Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Arvon Township Hall
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Front of the building
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | Park Rd., Skanee, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1915 |
| Built by | Fred Carlson |
| Architect | Charles W. Maass |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000302 |
| Added to NRHP | July 30, 1981 |
The Arvon Township Hall is a special public building located on Park Road in Skanee, Michigan. It's a historic place that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. This means it's recognized as an important building worth protecting because of its history and unique design.
Contents
A Look Back: The Hall's Story
Back in the late 1800s, a big company called the Huron Bay Iron and Slate Company was a main employer in Arvon. The local government, known as the township offices, used to be inside this company's main building from 1874 to 1878.
Growing Community Needs
In 1878, a small, one-room schoolhouse was built. It also had a space for the township offices. But the community kept growing! By the early 1900s, there were many people living in the area.
Because of this growth, a new school was built in 1910. Then, in 1914, the people of Arvon decided they needed a brand new, bigger town hall.
Building the Hall
So, in 1915, the Arvon Township Hall was constructed. A builder named Fred Carlson from Hancock, Michigan put it together. The design came from Charles W. Maass, who was also from Hancock.
When the hall was built, Arvon was still a quiet, less developed area. The local government played a very important role in daily life. The hall quickly became a central gathering spot for everyone.
A Place for Everyone
This building was used for many things. It hosted important public meetings. It also became a fun community center. Even today, the hall is still used for meetings. It's also a place for plays, community events, music festivals, and other fun activities.
What the Hall Looks Like
The Arvon Township Hall is a two-story building. It's shaped like a rectangle and built with a strong wooden frame. It sits on a solid concrete base.
Outside the Building
The first floor of the hall is covered with brown-stained shingles. The second floor has yellow painted horizontal boards. The roof is shaped like a hip, meaning it slopes on all four sides.
A special feature on the roof is a decorative, six-sided tower called a cupola. It's topped with a pyramid-shaped roof and a fancy iron decoration. This cupola stands out and makes the building easy to spot.
The main entrance is in the middle of the building. It has a porch that goes inward. Above the porch is a bay window on the second floor. The entrance is framed by large square pillars. The porch also has pretty, decorative "gingerbread" trim. The windows on both floors are placed in a neat, balanced way.
Inside the Building
When you go inside, you'll find a big meeting hall. It has a kitchen nearby. There's also a smaller meeting room. A hallway leads to stairs that take you up to the second floor.
Upstairs, there's a large room that can be used as an auditorium or a gym. It has dressing rooms, a coat room, and a ticket booth. There's even a balcony overhead, perfect for watching events!
